Packing and method of making the same



Feb. 18, 1930. L. A. SLITER PACKING AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed Jan. 14, 1927 Patented "Feb. 18, 1930.

j UNITED STATES P TENT oF-FIC LEON A. SLITER, or KALAMAZOO.ivncmcnnhssronon 'ro DURA'M'ETA'LLIG consona- TION, or KALAMAZOOLMIGHIGAN I I PACKING AND METI-IOD'OF MAKING THE Application filed January 14, 1927. Serial No. 181,101.

The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide an improved packing which is well adapted for various uses, both under high pressures and high temperatures.

" Second, to provide an improved packing 1 at'the same time has very considerable tensile strength.

Fourth, to provide an improved method of making packings which enables the very rapid and economical production of the same. Objects pertaining to details and economles of my improved packing will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claim.

A packing embodying my improvements 1s clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, 111 which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a packing embodying the features of my invent on, the reinforcing strands being shown lnpro ectlng relation at one end to show their relationin the packing. Y

Fig. 2 is a cross section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the methodof making my improved packing.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a thin strip of sheet metal or metal foil.

Fig. 5 isa fragmentary plan view of the same strip illustrating the lubricant coating thereon.

' Referring to the drawing, 1, land 2, 2 represent strips of thin sheet metal or metal foil, these being conventionally shown as wound upon spools 3. I have shown only two of the strips 1 in thedrawing but it will be understood that in practice this number is increased as desired.

The strips 1 are preferably of different materials, that is, certain of the strips 1 are preferably of lead foil, others of aluminum foil and others of copper foil, the relation of these being varied according to the general purpose to which the packing is to be applied.

In Fig. 3 I illustrate conventionally an apparatus for use in forming my improved packing, this apparatus being the subject matter of an application for Letters Patent, Serial No.161,102, filed concurrently here with and being illustrated and described in detail in such application.

With the metal. foil I combine strands 4 of fibrous material such as asbestos strands or strands of other fiber having a tensile strength substantially greater than that of the metal foil. The strips of metal 1 and these reinforcing strands 4 are spirally twisted together, there being preferably at least four of the strands 1 (two only being illustrated in'Fig. 3), into a strand 5 by passing through a twister 6. To the strand thus formed the strips 2 are applied by spirally twisting thereon, the strand 5 and the strips 2 being conducted through a twister 7. This applies the strips 2 to the strand 5 made up of a plurality of strips 1 and the reinforcing strands as an outer cover.

The strand 8 issuing from the twister 7 is passed through reducing devices 9 and 10 by means of which the strand is compacted.

Prior to twisting together the strips inclicated in Fig. 4 I preferably have lubricant applied, this lubricant being in the form of graphite and oil or the like. The twisting operation crumples the material as indicated in Fig. 2forming a multiplicity of pockets which effectively retain the lubricant.

The strands 4 are supported in the body of the packing in a spaced relation as shown in Fig. 2 or are interspersed therein. The result is that the packing has very substantial tensile strength and these strands 4 also serve as binding elements holding the metal foil together.

By applying the strips 2 as shown an ex- I ternal wearmg surface may be provided of desired material and also serves to bind and hold the several strips from which the packing is formed together. By thus combining the strips it will be understood that the metal strips 1 are distributed quite uniformly through the packing.

The packing is very durable'when subjected to Wear such as that of reciprocating or rotating parts, is economical to produce and may be formed in long strips to be cut into desired lengths for use.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' A packing comprising a plurality of strips of metal, and a plurality of reinforcing strands, said strips of metal and said reinforcing strands'being twisted into a unitary strand with the reinforcing strands interspersed therein. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LEON A. SLITER. 

